Salt2Summit Guide Service - With 25 + years of experience pursuing these Columbia River fish from buoy 10 to Hanford reach and up the Snake River. Fishing every tributary in between these places, I have learned certain spots and techniques used to catch more fish.In 2012 we went 49 days straight catching fish everyday. That is why I am confident enough to offer you a “catch-fish-guarantee” on full day trips. If we do not bring a fish to the boat you only pay half price or receive 50% off of the full price on your next visit.
My fishing partner had to work today (Sun), so I Hooked up to the boat and made a run to the RW for a quick fishing trip. Got on the water (seaton's grove) around 0900ish, and was off the water around noon. Honey Do's were calling! While there, I met a couple of boats of fisher"Persons" from WL, Nice to meet you guys/gal. I hope to see a report from them on the Rufus Woods fishing trip. I ran down to the second set of pens, tied on a Toni"s special with the intent of hooking into a hog of a trout on my fly rod. I fished below the pens area today, and used the bow mount electric motor to move around vs anchoring. The trout were cruising and you could see some on occassion (nice ones too). Well the trout were all over the Toni's special, and I had some hits, but could not hook up with any. Twice I watched a trout swim up to the fly open their mouth (fly gone), and both times I prematurely jerked the fly out of their mouth. But man, what a rush. I do have a long way to go on my fly fishing. I ended up catching 3 fish (C&R one about 6 pounds), and keeping two for the smoker. One was 8# 1oz, and 8# 4oz, must be alot of the same same year class swimming around. Caught two on a dark colored jig, and the last one on a Braided stonefly pattern that I had tied on a 1/16 oz jig head. I did see some nice fish boated by another boat, so there was some action out there. At the middle pens I noticed an "official looking" vehicle with a light bar across the cab parked up on the shore overlooking the pens area, so at least the area is being monitored. A beautiful day to be on the water. Good luck all on your future endeavours, and stay safe
Good report. Thank you for telling me the fish like the fly. i just need to get these fish here to like them. My consolation is that I haven't nor has any one else caught anything near me. Also that you say those RW trout will take them.
Hi ya toni, seems the RW trout preferred the ones with the black hook. The ones on the silver hooks didn't provoke the interest like the others. Go figure. I still have expectations to catch a big un on the fly.
There's some nice fish to be had, and the scenery is fabulous. Hope you have great luck trout magnet on your future trips over. Stay safe and hope to see ya on the water with some "big fish".
Hi Blufin loui, Thanks for your reports, they really get the blood pumping for me. I've got two little kids now, so my RW trips are far and few between. I've got a quick question for you, did you see any boats tying up to the white bouys on the outside of the upper pens? Are they off limits now? Hope to get up there sometime and say hi to you, until then keep up the good work.
Thanks fishdoc. Over the few trips I have been to the upper pens, I have noticed boats tied to about everything except the nets themselves. I haven't been able to speak with anyone regarding the meaning of the buoys that are installed. The buoys look as if they are marking the anchors that hold the pens system, but could be wrong about that. The only thing I can positively mention is someone (I assumed he was an owner or at least a supervisory person by the way he was inspecting the pens and had a cloud of workers following him around), said boats needed to stay back from the pens and 100 yards would be too close. So No mention of any marker buoys to me. although the 100 yards were said in a "tongue in cheek" manner, he didn't sound pleased with boats being up next to the nets. If I get a chance to speak with someone again, I'll pose the questions to them. I would suggest using common sense and respect for "Personal/Private" property when fishing around the pens area. They are after all trying to make a living, and we as fishermen are recreating. Get out there and catch a big one.
hey charlie, I know the feeling. Last year the B-2 Squid was so hot for us we had to hunker down in the boat to put one on the hook. Once the water warmed up, I haven't been able to buy a bite on the squids. Same may part of your situation. I'm expecting to get more action on the tube types soon. The water temp is continuing to drop.
I'm finally at home in VA and back online, so I can finally express my gratitiude to my BnL I (touchet2) for showing me a trip of a lifetime at RW. We're the other two guys Blufin mentioned in his report. And special thanks to Blufin Loui. What a gracious gentleman: he not only shared tips and tactics, he gave us some of his handtied flies, told us where to fish them, and even gave up the prime spot to us. Unbelievabley kind of him. You won't see that kind of sportmanship here on the Potomac River, that's for sure. Thanks, Loui! BTW, if you have any of the close up photos you took of us, I'd appreciate an emailed copy.
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Salt2Summit Guide Service - With 25 + years of experience pursuing these Columbia River fish from buoy 10 to Hanford reach and up the Snake River. Fishing every tributary in between these places, I have learned certain spots and techniques used to catch more fish.In 2012 we went 49 days straight catching fish everyday. That is why I am confident enough to offer you a “catch-fish-guarantee” on full day trips. If we do not bring a fish to the boat you only pay half price or receive 50% off of the full price on your next visit.